What to Do in L.A. This Week: August 19–25

PoolsideEqual parts multisensory ode to summer, interactive painting, and imaginative landscape perfect for perking up your Instagram feed, Poolside invites visitors to paint the walls with water balloons, among other activities, as part of its candy-colored abstract art exhibition. Filled with hydrochromatic ink, the balloons reveal their colors as they dry on the wall, a delight as much as it is a release. Open Sunday, Monday, Thursday, noon–4 p.m. Through September 5. Rhythm Visuals, 1040 South Olive Street

Tuesday, August 20

In Her Words: Spotlight on Women Writers in Film & TV: Nancy Meyers
Women in Entertainment’s series celebrating pioneering women in Hollywood has a big one lined up for its next installment. Meyers has paved the way for female representation in showbiz by penning and directing heartwarming comedy hits for decades. Here she’ll be on hand for a discussion after a screening of her 2009 film, It’s Complicated. ArcLight Hollywood, 6360 Sunset Boulevard

Photo courtesy of Klowden Mann

“The Passenger”
A group exhibition featuring Greg Ito, Heijin Yook, Marcus Herse, Morgan Mandalay, and Steven Criqui, inspired by an Iggy Pop song of the same name from 1977. The artists create a narrative of traversing a landscape or city, capturing the elation and alienation of such a journey. Klowden Mann, 6023 Washington Boulevard, Culver City

Photo courtesy of Brad Williams/Facebook

Goddamn Comedy JamGoddamn Comedy Jam, the show that inspired Comedy Central’s Comedy Jam, returns to the Sunset Strip’s Roxy Theatre with another fantastic round of top comedians, including Jim Jefferies, Big Jay Oakerson, Brad Williams, Kelsey Cook, and Justin Martindale. They’ll share the stories behind their favorite songs, then sing them with all the heart that they’ve got. Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood

Wednesday, August 21

Photo courtesy of Book Soup/Facebook

Tim Heidecker & Gregg Turkington Talk Movies and Sign Brandan Kearney’s Official On Cinemaat the Cinema Reader: Volume One: 2010–2018
One of the weirder rabbit holes that Adult Swim offers you to dive into is that of the On Cinema universe. What started as a somewhat meta movie review show that devolved into personal attacks between hosts Heidecker and Turkington spun off into an action series and created its own “cinematic universe” (even though it’s on TV). Brandan Kearney’s book OfficialOn Cinema at the Cinema Reader: Volume 1: 2010-2018 offers a look into this whole niche universe and, on this night, stars Heidecker and Turkington will indeed be live in person to “talk movies.” Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood

“The Props Assist the House”
A group show inspired by the Emily Dickinson poem of the same name. The artists use drawings, collage, lithography, sculpture, installation, and photography to call attention to props—as background, staging devices, frameworks, and structures, yet hinting at a wider narrative. Bel Ami Gallery, 709 North Hill Street #105

Thursday, August 22

Photo by Yann Rabanier/Courtesy of Geffen Playhouse

WitchThis boldly funny new play, featuring Maura Tierney from TV series The Affair, follows a charming small-town newcomer who offers to fulfill the locals’ darkest wishes in exchange for their souls. Through September 29. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue

Shonen Knife
It’s not a contest or anything, but Shonen Knife is probably one of the coolest bands on the planet. The Japanese punk-pop outfit started out in 1981, heavily influenced by the Ramones and the Beach Boys. They toured with Nirvana, have been covered by Sonic Youth, and are making a rare appearance in L.A. tonight. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Boulevard

Rock to Recovery 4
This year’s benefit concert for Rock to Recovery, a nonprofit that helps patients recovering from all sorts of physical and mental health conditions experience the joy of playing music, features punk rockers Goldfinger and supergroup Sacred Sons—which will be joined by System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian specially for the event. Fonda Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Boulevard

Photo courtesy of WineL.A./Facebook

Rosé & Bubbles FestivalSip champagne, sparkling wine, and rosé from around the world at this intimate rosé-all-day tasting. Sample nibbles from Petrossian restaurant—yes, that means lots of caviar—drink out of proper glassware, dance to DJs, and more. There’s a daytime and an evening session, but both encourage the best pink outfits for proper photo booth pics. Tickets start at $59 per person. Leica Store and Gallery, 8783 Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood

Sunday, August 25

Institute for the Rhythmic Arts in American Tap / Photo courtesy of Mark Wilkinson/Skirball Cultural Center

American TapIf your first thought of tap dancing brings to mind American musicals from more than half a century ago, you’re not alone. Dance doc American Tap aims to change that view with a kinetic exploration of where tap’s been, where it is now, and what place it has in our culture’s future. Director Mark Wilkinson, subjects Ayodele Casel and Jason Samuels Smith, and others will join for a Q&A. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard